As Rams fans, we’re supposed to dislike the 49ers. They’re the rival…and we want them to lose at every turn.

But I have to admit, I’m liking San Francisco’s approach with their first round draft choice, Michael Crabtree. If he and his agent don’t want to participate in the draft process the way everyone else does, he can sit out. Crabtree and his agent, Eugene Parker, are apparently upset with where the wide receiver went in the draft last April. He was the tenth pick in the draft, and they believe he’s better than seventh overall pick Darrius Heyward-Bey of Oakland.

 

 

 

The 49ers haven’t capitulated to the demands that Crabtree

 

get more guaranteed money than Heyward-Bey, and apparently…even after week one of the season, the holdout hasn’t figured out that the money isn’t coming his way.

There’s an easy solution to this problem, and I’d like to see an athlete apply it some time.

 

If Crabtree is REALLY that good, put his money where his mouth is. Sign a deal commensurate with what the tenth pick should get, but request incentives that require the player to perform at a certain level. If Crabtree performs like the tenth pick in the draft, he gets paid like it. If he’s as good as Randy Moss or Calvin Johnson, he gets paid like it. That way, the team is protected if Crabtree’s foot injury or Diva attitude crop up, but he has the chance to EARN the money he thinks he’s worth.